U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Visits Lincoln Electric

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar appeared Tuesday in Euclid at Lincoln Electric to tour the company’s Automation Division facility.

His visit in Northeast Ohio was designed to underscore President Barack Obama’s call for an economy driven by American energy, American skills and innovation, and American manufacturing.

“When it comes to energy, we need to take an all-of-the-above approach to producing more energy at home in ways that are cleaner, cheaper and create jobs for Americans,” Salazar said. “That means safely and responsibly developing our abundant natural gas resources, as well as building capacity for clean energy technologies, like wind and solar.

“Ohio is playing a major role in growing a strong energy economy for America, where jobs from manufacturing to construction are created and supported by our nation’s growing energy portfolio.”

Lincoln Electric employs more than 2,200 workers at their Northeast Ohio operations, which is home to the largest urban-based wind turbine in the nation that provides up to 10 percent of electricity for its manufacturing campus.

During an interview with The News-Herald, Salazar said he was impressed with the welding technology at Lincoln Electric and the wind turbine.

“I understand 10 percent of the energy actually comes from the wind turbine,” Salazar said. “It’s very much an important part that supports Lincoln Electric.”

During his tour, the Interior Secretary also tried his hand using the company’s virtual reality welding simulator during which time he scored a high mark on one of three attempts.

“Lincoln Electric is really walking the walk and showing that we can meet our energy needs with a variety of sources — both conventional and renewable,” Salazar said. “As part of our all-of-the-above approach, the president believes we need to double down on clean energy in the United States.”

George Blankenship, Lincoln Electric president of North American Operations, said it was great to have Salazar visit the company.

“We explained to him that energy really is what drives our company and he’s very influential in shaping energy policy,” Blankenship said. “I think it’s good for him to understand how many things other than just the oil and gas industry depend on energy.” Read Full Article